Yo, welcome back! Hope you enjoy chapter 3!


"Haaaaa!" Makoto called out with a lopsided grin. Haruka smiled at his finacé and the two men accompanying him. He opened the door wider and stepped away.

"Come in, all three of you." Therapy Cat meowed loudly. "Sorry, the four of you." Rei pushed the wheelchair inside, Nagisa shuddering and stomping his feet before entering.

"Why does it have to be so cold?" the blond whined. He took off his boots, hat, scarf, and gloves, retreating to the kitchen where he knew it would surely be warm. It was. "Ah, that's better. Oh, Haru-chan! Wanna hear about what we did all day? We all had so much fun, especially Mako-chan! Right, Mako-chan?" The blond raised a hand for Makoto to hold it. Both of them grinned. Rei shook his head.

"I'm positive Haruka-senpai knows what we did for our day with the number of texts and pictures you sent him," the spectacled man said. He grinned at the realization that dawned on the smaller man's face. "So what did you do today, Haruka-senpai?"

"Well, I swam and bought mackerel. Then I had Sousuke come over. He told me something that I was rather shocked by," Haruka told them. When he saw the two men lean forward (Makoto only threw his head back in laughter as he stroke Therapy Cat's fur), he continued. "He said that Rin has no idea of what happened to me and Makoto."

"What?! But how?" Nagisa shouted. Both Rei and Haruka shushed the blond. He shrunk and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. But seriously, how does he not know? The whole world knew about it!" Haruka shrugged, realizing that his shoulder did feel looser now. What a relief.

"He gets really absorbed in training, I suppose. Not much has changed from our past," the raven answered indifferently. He smiled softly at the other men. "Do either of you want something to eat?"

"Are you sure, Haruka-senpai? We don't want to strain you after only just now relaxing," Rei insisted. Haruka waved a hand the spectacled man.

"I don't mind. I still have some coffee left over. Do you want anything else?" the raven asked. Makoto cooed and leaned back, his citrine eyes landing on Haruka. Both of them smiled but one was sadder than the other. Haruka clenched his hands into fists. "I'll prepare some toast, too."

"Thank you, Haru-chan," Nagisa said. Rei nodded. Makoto screeched and clapped.


Rei and Nagisa left after a short stay, leaving Haruka to continue the nightly routine. He fed Makoto and changed him into his pajamas. It was always a lot easier at night; Makoto was tired out by the time night fell so he moved a bit more flaccidly. Haruka brushed Makoto's bangs away from his face and kissed the tip of his nose. Makoto made a soft noise and yawned.

"I love you, Makoto. Let's get you to bed, okay?" Haruka pushed the wheelchair into the bedroom and applied the brakes. He did his best to lift Makoto up. The brunet dragged his legs, his right just barely moving. He made a whining noise from his throat. Haruka patted his head gently. "It's okay, Makoto. Almost to bed. Then you can sleep." Even if he wouldn't admit it, Haruka was just completely drained from his day. All he wanted to do was sleep and sleep and maybe sleep some more.

This cycle repeated itself for several days, just like it had been for months before, and how it will for the coming years in the future.


Makoto was pulling him by the arm, laughing with no care. The sun was sinking in the horizon, the sky painted with pink and orange. They headed for their car. Makoto got into the driver's side before Haruka could attempt to.

"Makoto, I really don't mind driving," he said but still entered the car on the passenger's side. Makoto giggled and smiled.

"Why would I let you do that? Today is the day of relaxation for the gold medal winner," the brunet declared. He started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot. Haruka felt his cheeks warm slightly.

"It's just my birthday, no big deal," he muttered. He gasped when Makoto grabbed his hand and kissed his knuckles, rubbing his thumb over the pale skin.

"It is a big deal. I'm so proud of you, Haru," Makoto said, his eyes shining with all the love his heart, his soul, his entire being had for the freestyle swimmer.

"I only won because of you," Haruka mumbled before returning the favor and kissing the back of Makoto's larger hand. His thumb rubbed the ring on his finger. He still couldn't believe that his entire life had lead up to this point. They had been planning to marry the autumn of next year, but Haruka just wanted to get it over and done with. It wasn't going to fancy and it would just be their friends and family, but Haruka didn't want to wait any longer. He wanted- no, he needed to marry his best friend, his soulmate. He bit the inside of his cheek and tried to stop thinking about the distant future. They still had time. "I love you," he uttered, tightening his hold on Makoto's hand.

"I love you too, Haru," Makoto responded, his voice dreamlike. The car stopped at a red light. The sky was slowly fading to darker colors. Soon, they'd be home and Haruka just knew from one look that his day of pampering was not over. Even though his body was exhausted from all the swimming they had done together at Iwatobi and from walking all over their hometown to the train station to sightseeing many places in Tokyo, he knew Makoto had planned more for tonight. He chuckled softly. Makoto always went to great lengths to show how much he loved Haruka. It was unnecessary, really. Just waking up every morning to see the angelic face beside him and a gentle "Good morning" and a kiss was enough.

The light turned green and Makoto carefully pushed down on the gas pedal. Even though he was a great driver (after getting over his fear of driving in the first place, obviously), Makoto was always careful to the point that it was almost agonizing. Haruka was surprised at how little vehicles were out. It felt like they were the only ones out on the street.

Then he heard the revving. Haruka turned to see where it was coming from.

There were two cars barreling their way. They were on Makoto's side.

"Makoto, look out!" Haruka shrieked, pointing to the right. Makoto turned his head just as one car passed them and the other slammed into their side...


Haruka jerked awake in a cold sweat. He looked around and realized he was not in a car but in their bedroom. Makoto was not in a driver's seat, he was sound asleep in bed. Haruka wiped his forehead. It was just a dream. That was it. A horrible dream of what had happened. Taking a deep breath, Haruka got up and began the whole morning routine.

When he arrived at the coffee shop, Nagisa and Rei were already there, eating their breakfast and having an animated conversation. Makoto was in a terrible mood that morning and just wouldn't cooperate with Haruka, which slowed them both down. He waved at Akane and Yui and approached the table his friends sat at. He smiled at the others tiredly before Akane approached for Haruka to confirm his usual order.

"Bad day, Haru-chan?" Nagisa asked sympathetically. Haruka nodded, covering his mouth with a yawn. He tried to touch Makoto's shoulder, but the man only whined and pulled away, holding Therapy Cat close enough to bury his nose in her fur. Haruka could feel his heartstrings tug harshly. He thanked Akane when she returned with his order. He patted Makoto's arm gently and quickly to grab his attention. As he struggled to help the brunet eat, he almost missed the door's bell ringing as someone entered the coffee shop.

"Just a coffee, please" was what shifted Haruka's focus. He turned his head and froze. There, at the counter, was the young man who had crashed his car into Makoto's. Suddenly, Haruka's mind returned to his dream that morning. He remembered his head hitting the window before blacking out... waking up outside of the car, glass cutting his skin... Makoto not too far from him... he wasn't breathing... the lights, sirens surrounding him... the white of a hospital room...

"...ruka-senpai!" Rei shouted, gripping Haruka's arm tightly. The raven winced at the spectacled man's strength. He looked up to see his friends staring at him with worried faces. Nagisa turned to look where the older man was looking at.

"Hey, isn't that the guy who... um, you know," the blond tried to say. Slowly, Haruka nodded. "Should we say anything?"

"No, I... I can't." Really, Haruka wanted to scream. He wanted to cry. Most of all, he wanted to hurt him. He had caused so much grief in his and Makoto's life. He wanted that more than anything. Then he remembered the day he finally left his room. He visited Makoto first and was devastated with the news of what happened. He was allowed to visit the young man who had caused the accident. Haruka had felt so much rage and was ready to let it boil over and burn the other. Then he saw him. He was only a young adult, not much older than eighteen. He didn't know better and thought he wouldn't hurt anyone. The guilt of shattering two lives as well as ruining his own was enough punishment, including the fine.

Haruka had left that room sobbing. He didn't want to relive this anymore but he had to for tomorrow. Rin had called the previous night. He was coming to visit for New Year's.


I'm horrible, but angst. :^)